Windows 10 Remains Relevant Despite Decline

Microsoft's operating system Windows 10 remains relevant in enterprises and organizations despite the ongoing transition to Windows 11. According to Lansweeper, a company that tracks IT equipment, the share of Windows 10 devices in these sectors is 16.9 percent. By April 2026, Windows 11 was already running on 1.6 billion devices. The decline in Windows 10 users in enterprises was significant after standard support ended in October 2025. Prior to this, Lansweeper reported a market share of 47.9 percent for Windows 10 in the tracked enterprises.

The transition to Windows 11 has been accelerated by the need to upgrade hardware, which has posed challenges for many companies. One reason for the stability of Windows 10's market share could be hardware compatibility. Many organizations, particularly in healthcare, retail, and manufacturing, utilize durable hardware that is often not compatible with Windows 11. These devices are frequently tightly integrated with the operating system, making an upgrade to Windows 11 difficult. The decision to continue using Windows 10 is also influenced by cost considerations.

Smaller companies, which may not have the financial resources to replace all their hardware, are sticking with Windows 10. Lansweeper notes that the highest density of Windows 10 devices is found in industries that rely on certified and durable hardware. The security risks associated with using Windows 10 are accepted by many organizations. Despite the higher risks identified by Lansweeper, the transition to Windows 11 remains unattractive for many organizations due to the associated costs and efforts. The necessity for a complete hardware overhaul is a significant barrier for many companies.

The shift to Windows 11 is expected to continue in the coming months, particularly in larger enterprises that have the resources to update their systems. Nevertheless, the current market situation shows that Windows 10 continues to play an important role, especially in sectors that rely on specific hardware. Lansweeper's figures indicate that Windows 10 remains strong in healthcare, retail, and manufacturing. These industries often depend on systems that cannot be easily upgraded, which favors the prevalence of Windows 10.

The market share of Windows 10 could remain stable in the coming years as long as the hardware requirements for Windows 11 cannot be met. Support for Windows 10 will continue until October 12, 2027, through Extended Security Updates (ESU). This provides an additional incentive for companies reliant on Windows 10 to continue using the operating system while also having the opportunity to gradually upgrade their hardware.